Method and apparatus for sorting and distributing mail

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for sorting and distributing mail consisting of a multi-compartment mail bag which is collapsable while being transported or returned from a multi-tenant building. The bag is initally retained in a central postal sorting station where mail for each of the tenants is inserted into each of the individual compartments. The multi-compartment bag is then collapsed and transported to its destination indicated on the outside of the bag. When it is delivered to a multi-tenant building, it is erected and supported within a gang mail box. The gang mail box preferably includes individual mail compartments having inwardly projecting flanges designed to project into each of the compartments. This physically isolates each compartment from the other in order to prevent compartment-to-compartment pilferage. A slide fastener is also provided on the front cover of the multi-compartment bag so that the bag can be locked while it is transported to the addressee&#39;&#39;s building.

United States Patent [19] Reader [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SORTINGAND DISTRIBUTING MAIL [76] Inventor: Arthur J. Reader, 293 PepperidgeRoad, Hewlett Harbor, N.Y. 11557 [22] Filed: Mar. 16, 1972 [21] Appl.No.: 235,267

[52] US. Cl ..209/122, 150/14 [51] Int. Cl. ..B07c 7/02 [58] Field ofSearch ...,209/122, 126; 150/14 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,640,083 8/1927 Ladd ..l50/14 1,755,950 4/1930 Dobson ..l50/14Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher A ttorney- Allison C. Callard [in3,732,978 1 May 15,1973

[57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for sorting and distributing mailconsisting of a multi-compartment mail bag which is collapsable whilebeing transported or returned from a multi-tenant building. The bag isinitally retained in a central postal sorting station where mail foreach of the tenants is inserted into each of the individualcompartments. The multi-compartment bag is then collapsed andtransported to its destination indicated on the outside of the bag. Whenit is delivered to a multi-tenant building, it is erected and supportedwithin a gang mail box. The gang mail box preferably includes individualmail compartments having inwardly projecting flanges designed to projectinto each of the compartments. This physically isolates each compartmentfrom the other in order to prevent compartment-to-compartment pilferage.A slide fastener is also provided on the front cover of themulti-compartment bag so that the bag can be locked while it istransported to the addressees building.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures s swe PATENIEU um 51m SHEET 1 UF 2 PATENTEDHAY I 51973 SHEET 2 [IF 2 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SORTING ANDDISTRIBUTING MAIL This invention relates to an improved method andapparatus for mail sorting and distribution.

More specifically, this invention relates to a method and apparatus formail distribution particularly for use with multi-tenant buildingswhereby mail is sorted and containerized prior to its distribution anddelivered in individual multi-compartment containers which are designedto fit directly into ganged mail boxes.

In the conventional delivery of mail, a letter carrier is provided witha supply of mail at a particular building site and must sort the mailbefore distributing it to each of the individual tenants. This is oftena slow and laborious job and greatly reduces the efficiency of mailhandling within a particular building. Moreover, this type of deliveryincreases the probability of the loss of pieces of mail since the mailsorting operation does not take place under any close supervision.Moreover, magazines and other commercial mail are often dumped ratherthan being delivered while they are transported by letter carriers totheir destination.

Another method for the conventional sorting and distribution of mailrequires that postal personnel sort mail into permanent compartments ata central post office. The mail is then bundled and given to lettercarries for delivery. In copending application Ser. No. 191,702, filedOct. 22, 1971, removable containers or modules were provided forreceiving sorted mail, so

that the modules could be transported by a cart to a multi-tenantbuilding. Collection and delivery carts suitable for these modules weredisclosed in copending application Ser. No. 209,206, filed on Dec. 17,1971.

Accordingly, the present invention utilizes mail bags designed withindividual compartments assigned to each business or tenant in aparticular building. Mail, which would include envelopes, containers,packages and the like, can be sorted at a central post office sortingstation and placed into the individual compartments of the bag before itis delivered to a building.

When the mail bag is receiving mail during the sorting phase at acentral postal station, it is supported in its expanded form with all ofits compartments open, so that permanent or fixed compartments are nolonger required. The mail bag therefore eliminates the need for bothbundling the sorted mail, and removing the bundled parcels from fixedcontainers for separate delivery by letter carriers. The bag afterdelivery can either be inserted into specially designed gang mail boxesadapted to receive the bags, or conventional gang mail boxes. Each ofthe multi-compartment bags includes an address plate indicating itsdestination or multi-tenant building. In buildings where there are morethan one station of gang mail boxes, the destination tag can alsoinclude a further code or number indicating the particular gang mail boxwhere it is to be inserted.

The multi-compartment mail bag is collapsable so that it takes up verylittle storage space both during delivery and return from a multi-tenantbuilding. The method and apparatus of the present invention eliminatesthe need for letter carriers to be assigned to a particular route sincethe multi-compartment bags can be delivered by truck to a particularaddress, and quickly located in the addressees mailboxes. Thus, theletter carrier can be taken off the streets and relocated at a centralsorting building. The letter carrier can then sort the mail into theindividual compartments of the multicompartment mail bag before it istransported to the addressees office building.

In another embodiment of the invention, gang mail boxes are providedhaving internally projecting rectangular flanges which are insertableinto each of the compartments of a multi-compartment bag in order tophysically isolate each of the compartments of the bag and preventpilferage by persons from adjacent mail compartments.

The present invention, thus, will cut down on accidental loss of mail,mass dumpings of commercial mail and magazines, and also prevent theftof mail from letter carriers shoulder pouches and carts during delivcry.

The individual mail pouches are preferably constructed from heavy-weightcanvas and are internally partitioned by canvas walls to form aplurality of vertically and horizontally expanding compartments.Stiffening elements are also provided within the bag terminating ineyelets which are adapted to receive hooks inside each of the gang mailboxes. Thus, the individual pouches are thus designed to be maintainedin their expanded form while they are located in each of the individualgang mail boxes.

It is therefore an object according to the present invention to providea method and apparatus for distributing mail by means of multi-compartment pouches from a central sorting location to the addresseesbuilding for insertion into the addressees gang mail boxes.

It is another object according to the present invention to provide amail distribution. system which overcomes the inefficiency anddistribution problems of conventional mail distribution systems.

It is still a further object according to the present invention toprovide a method and apparatus for mail distribution which is simple indesign, efficient in operation, and inexpensive in cost.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings which disclose the embodiments of theinvention. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings aredesigned for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition ofthe limits of the invention.

In the drawings wherein similar reference characters denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the multi-compartmentmail bag according to the present invention:

FIG. 2 is a detailed plan view of "the front of the embodiment of FIG. 1showing a locked position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along section 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in its foldedcondition;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the mounting of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 in a gang mail box;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along section 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a gang mail box used for receiving theinvention of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along section 88 of FIG. 7,showing a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a multi compartment mail bag 10having a front flap 18 which is fastened on three sides to the frontedge of the bag by means of slide fastener 11. Slide fastener 11includes one or more slide fastener actuators or handles 12 which aredesigned to converge and completely secure front cover 18 to bag 10 sothat a lock 15 can seal the contents of the bag against pilferage, asshown in detail in FIG. 2.

A plurality of eyelets 14 are formed on the top and bottom of bag 10 sothat the bag can be supported from corresponding hooks inside of a gangmail box.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, eyelets 14 are shown formed at the end ofstiffening rods 26 which extend vertically through the entire length ofbag 10. Rods 26 are preferably formed of steel in order to add rigidityto the side walls of the bag. The bag may be collapsed as shown indetail in FIG. 4 when there is little or no mail stored stored within sothat there is a considerable savings in space when bag 10 is eitherbeing transported to the multi-tenant building, or returned to a centralpostal sorting station. A carrying handle 13 is secured near the top ofthe bag, and an address plate 16 is mounted adjacent to the handle toidentify the destination of the bag.

Referring to FIGS. -8 there is shown bag inserted into a gang mail box20. Bag 10 preferably includes individual compartments 17 formed ofcanvas partitions and walls 19 which may be stitched or bonded withinbag 10. Each of the compartments preferably includes a rim 24 which isbent upward from the floor of the compartment and may further include anaddressees name plate 23 secured to the front thereof. In the embodimentof FIG. 5, front cover 18 has been coiled up at the top of the bag infront of hooks 25. Hooks 25,

shown in detail in FIG. 6, support eyelets 14 so that the bag can bemaintained in its expanded form while it is in gang box 20. Hooks 25 mayalso be mounted at the bottom of gang box 20 and engaged tocorresponding eyelets 14 at the bottom of bag 10. Behind each of gangdoors 21 is mounted a rectangular projecting flange 22 havingrectangular dimensions slightly smaller than the opening of each ofcompartments 17. Flanges 22 are designed to extend or project intocompartments 17 in order to isolate the individual compartments frim oneanother. On the front of each of gang box systems 20 are included adirectory of the tenants 27 who are receiving mail in this particulargang box system.

The multi-compartment mail bag or sack is preferably constructed of aheavy canvas material but may also be constructed of any woven ornon-woven material such as leather, nylon, dacron, imitationleather,.plastic or any flexible material which is durable and can becollapsed and expanded without undue wear. The compartments may beformed of the same material as the sack, or of different materialdepending upon the requirements. The compartments may be stitched orbonded to the bag.

Flanges 22 formed on the inside of gang box 20 may be constructed of anyrigid material such as metal, wood or plastic and can be added toconventional mail boxes by bonding or festeners.

The multi-compartment bag of the present invention greatly reduces theamount of space required for transporting already sorted mail and issufficiently flexible so that it adjusts its volume in accordance withthe amount of mail placed within the bag. This represents a substantialsavings in space and volume over rigid containers used for transportingand distributing already sorted mail.

While only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, other changes and modifications may be made thereuntowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A mail container for insertion into a gang mail box comprising: i

a flexible bag having at least one open side;

a cover for closing the open side of said bag;

a plurality of compartments formed within said bag and'having at leastone side open to the cover of said bag, said compartments havingopenings corresponding to each of the boxes of the gang mail boxes;

means for securing the cover over the opening of said bag; and

mounting means formed on at least one surface of said bag for securingsaid bag within the gang mail box.

2. The mail container as recited in claim 1, wherein said fasteningmeans comprises a slide fastener formed on said cover and said at leastone open side of said bag.

3. The mail container as recited in claim 1, wherein said mounting meanscomprises at least one eyelet formed adjacent to the top of said surfaceof said bag for permitting said bag to be mounted within the gang box.

4. The mail container as recited in claim 1, wherein each of saidcompartments further comprises a rim formed on the open side of saidcompartment and extending across a portion thereof.

5. The mail container as recited in claim 4, wherein said rim furthercomprises identification means for receiving an identifying tag of theaddressee of the compartment.

6. The mail container as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising arigid projection mounted on each box of the gang mail box and extendingpartially into the open side of each compartment of the mail bag.

7. The mail container as recited in claim 6 wherein each of said rigidprojections has an external periphery slightly smaller than the openside of said compartment.

8. Method for sorting and distributing mail comprising the steps of;

setting up a multi-compartment collapsible bag at a central post officesorting station,

sorting mail and inserting the mail into selected compartments of thebag,

closing and collapsing the bag to enclose the sorted mail,

delivering the bag to a multi-tenant building, and

expanding and mounting the bag in a gang mail box.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said step of closing thebag further comprises the step of locking the bag before delivery.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said step of expanding andmounting includes securing the bag to hooks inside the gang mail box.

11. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein following said step ofexpanding and mounting, said method further comprises collapsing saidbag after the mail has been removed and returning said bag to thecentral post office sorting station.

12. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the gang mail box includesa plurality of rigid projections, each corresponding to the opening ofeach bag compartment and extending partially within each compartment.

1. A mail container for insertion into a gang mail box comprising: aflexIble bag having at least one open side; a cover for closing the openside of said bag; a plurality of compartments formed within said bag andhaving at least one side open to the cover of said bag, saidcompartments having openings corresponding to each of the boxes of thegang mail boxes; means for securing the cover over the opening of saidbag; and mounting means formed on at least one surface of said bag forsecuring said bag within the gang mail box.
 2. The mail container asrecited in claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprises a slidefastener formed on said cover and said at least one open side of saidbag.
 3. The mail container as recited in claim 1, wherein said mountingmeans comprises at least one eyelet formed adjacent to the top of saidsurface of said bag for permitting said bag to be mounted within thegang box.
 4. The mail container as recited in claim 1, wherein each ofsaid compartments further comprises a rim formed on the open side ofsaid compartment and extending across a portion thereof.
 5. The mailcontainer as recited in claim 4, wherein said rim further comprisesidentification means for receiving an identifying tag of the addresseeof the compartment.
 6. The mail container as recited in claim 1additionally comprising a rigid projection mounted on each box of thegang mail box and extending partially into the open side of eachcompartment of the mail bag.
 7. The mail container as recited in claim 6wherein each of said rigid projections has an external peripheryslightly smaller than the open side of said compartment.
 8. Method forsorting and distributing mail comprising the steps of; setting up amulti-compartment collapsible bag at a central post office sortingstation, sorting mail and inserting the mail into selected compartmentsof the bag, closing and collapsing the bag to enclose the sorted mail,delivering the bag to a multi-tenant building, and expanding andmounting the bag in a gang mail box.
 9. The method as recited in claim8, wherein said step of closing the bag further comprises the step oflocking the bag before delivery.
 10. The method as recited in claim 8,wherein said step of expanding and mounting includes securing the bag tohooks inside the gang mail box.
 11. The method as recited in claim 8,wherein following said step of expanding and mounting, said methodfurther comprises collapsing said bag after the mail has been removedand returning said bag to the central post office sorting station. 12.The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the gang mail box includes aplurality of rigid projections, each corresponding to the opening ofeach bag compartment and extending partially within each compartment.